Thermostatic generator and control device



THERMOSTATIC GENERATOR AND CONTROL DEVICE Filed Oct. 20, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 anomtozs WaLlZ-LC I WW Nov. 8, 1932. A. J. LINDEMANN ET AL 1,336,701

THERMOSTATIC GENERATOR AND CONTROL DEVICE Filed Oct. 2d, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 anomtozs Patented Nov. 8, 1932 'UNITEDSTATES PATENT eeri steam .T. Hermann, WALTER LINDEMANN, Ase Anorexia. SCHMIDT, or M1 1).

7 "warns, Wisconsin, ASSIGNORS TO A. J. nr'nnnrannn a Hovnnsori COMPANY, or mrwatrxnawrsconsm, A coaronarion of Wisconsin TnEnMosrA'rie GENERATOR Ann CONTROL nnvron Application filed October 20, 1-928. I Serial no. 313,747.

v The present improvements relate, in gen eral, tohydrocarbon stovesand more particularly toburners, Vaporizers, and means for automatically controlling the fuel supply therefor and the functions thereof in general.

In devices of this-character wherein hydrocarbon fluid is used as fuel, it is of paramount importance that features of safety are not oyerlooked in favor of features of utility. Due to the dangerous nature of the fuel employed, as well as the human element called upon tooperate such apparatus, andforother reasons, it is essential that a fool-proof con- .struction be devised.- The present improvements therefore, have as their primary ob- ;ject, ,among others, the provision of a foolproof; apparatusof the type above mentioned,

embodying features ofsafety and utility without sacrificing one in favor of the other. A further object is to provide a novel combination ofelements whereby the fuel supply is automatically controlled. The provision of a thermally operated control means for the fuel supply both to the generatorand burners comprises a further object of the improve- ,ments.

.A still furtherobjectis to provide a novel arrangement of parts wherein the liquid fuel supply and vapor supply Controls are synchronized-so -as to establish a ratio .therebetween and between them and the burner or the vaporizer or each of them.

i A novel combination of fuel burner and generator tube is also provided wherein the durability, efficiency and constructionof the parts is greatly improved. Further objects and advantages will be apparent :to those skilled inthe :art upon reference to the following description, and the accompanying drawings, in whicl Fig. 1 is a plan view of the preferred embodiment of the present improvements, portions in dotted lines, others in section, for convenience in illustration;

Fig.2is a side elevation of a'bum'er and control means embodyin the present im- ,proveinents illustrated in E1 g. 3;

ber 6 .ing a bore 12therein, a

screw threads 16.

trated in Fig. 1, but showing a modified [con struction. 1

Referringtothe drawings, it is understood that the vapor burner 5 constitutes the main burner of a seriesof such burners commonly employed in j a hydrocarbon stove (not shown) l/Vhile the present improvements are illustrated and described in connection, with such main burner, which serves not only asla service burner for cooking purposes but also asthe heating medium for the vapor generator wherein the vapor generated may supplyside burners, it is evident that each'burner itself may be equipped in the manner illustrated whereby but one generator supplies one burner.

Mounted on the stove in any convenient manner and adjacent burner 5, is a fixed memprovided with a passageway or conduit 7 therein. Said conduit communicates with a bore 8 in member 6, whichbore is disposedat right angles .to the conduit 7, although any other relation of parts may be employed. A pipe section 9 establishes communication between conduit 7 and the liquid'fuel supply reservoir (not shown), v means (not shown) may belocated between .saidconduit 7 and the reservoir to'control the supply of liquid fuel, and the flame of the burners, or shut off said fuel.

The forward end of bore 8 is suitably threaded or otherwise adaptedto fixedly support the tubular member 10, made'of thermally responsive material, such as brass or other expansible and contractible .metal. This tube 10 constitutes a 'vaporgenerator and is positioned so as tobe disposed over the burner 5,-in slightly spaced relationthereto so as to experiencethe thermal conditions thereof. i U

Secured tothe outer end of generator was for-example by welding,.is a-bushing 11 havportion of said bore being formed to provide a conical valveseat 18 and. another portion thereof provided with A vapor fuel supply conduit 14 is secured adjacent to said bushing 11, whereby communication from the generator 10 to the burner.5is afforded, it being understood that a suitable mixing devi'cefor mix- 1 and a suitable valve be made with pipe 14 to side burnersif desired.

A valve stem 16 is disposed in bore 8 and chamber 15, one end of which terminates in a needlevalve construction having a conical valve 17 adapted to seat on valve seat 13 and completely shut ofi the vapor supply to the burner. Adjacent said valve-(17, the stem 16 is externally screw threaded at 16, whereby said stem has a screw threaded connection with bushing 11 by the complementary threads 16 thereon. This provision serves to support the valve stem as well as align the valve 17 withits seat 13, while at the same time, the stem 16 may be conveniently advanced or retracted by an operator turning handle 18 for opening and closing valve 17 as well as moving the clean out needle to clean the orifice thereabout whenever desired or necessary. One or more longitudinally disposed channels 20 traverse the screw threaded portion 16 for permitting passage of vapor from chamber 15 to bore 12.

i As illustrated, a portion of said stem 16 extends through the bore 8 of the fixed member 6 and terminates therebeyond in a knob or operating handle 18. A bushing 19 surrounds stem 16 and closes the rear end of bore 8, suitable packing being provided in the bore 8 as well as elsewhere to form fluid tightconnections, as illustrated. Said stem forms a loose fit with the walls of bore '8 for permitting the passage of fluid from pipe 9, conduit 7 to chamber 15, communication between said last mentioned elements being afforded by the annular passageway 20 defined by the inner surface of bore 8 and the outer surface of stem 16.

As illustrated, a chamber 21 is bored in member 6 and communicates with condu'it 7 at which point an auxiliary shut-off valve seat 21 is provided whereby to accommodate a 'fuel shut-off valve 22 for controlling passagej way 7.

Said valve 22 may form one end of a non expansible rod 23, housed, suitably packed and supported in chamber 21. The main portion of said rod, which may be of inva'r metal or the like, is disposed beside generator 10, slightly spaced therefrom and terminates in screw threads 24. The bushing 11 and rod 23 are operativelyconnected in fixed relation by means of brace 25, which is welded to the bushing and has a screw threaded nut 25 for receiving the screw threaded end'of rod 23. The fixed relation of these elements with generator 10perm1ts them to move as a unit; The screw threaded arrangement admits of adjustment between "the parts, but itis obvious that the adjustable means may take other forms.

In the operation of the foregoing improvements, any suitable priming means for initially heating the generator may be employed, e. g., apriming cup or an auxiliary lighter fed with fuel from the main or an auxiliary reservoir. Such auxiliary lighter may be manually controlled or automatically controlled by suitable operative connections with the main burner. control mechanism. When the apparatusi's setup for use, the valve 22 is closed due to the fact that all'the parts are cool and therefore the generatortube 10 is in its contracted state. Since said valve 22 controls the liquid fuel supply, the valve 17 maybe disposed in any of several positions, since it is adapted to be manually operated by stem 16 and handle 18. For examplefthe valve 17 may be closed against seat-13, or it may be opened at the time of lighting orifleft in any positionwhen the stove is not in operaion, since the 'valve'22, as aforementioned,

controls the fuel supply. Upon lighting the priming means, the generator tube 10 is heated up by means of the auxiliary flame, whereupon the generator tube 10 expands as-it becomes heated, whereas the non-expandingc metal rod'23 does not expandx As the tube 10 lengthens in response to heat, the rod 23 movestherewith and the valve 22 is moved away from seat 21, permitting the liquid fuel under pressure to flow from the supply 9 into the generator chamber 15. Since the tube and rod are fixed together, movement of one is experienced in like manner by the other.

It is'readily apparent that the foregoing operations do-not transpire until the gener- 'ator is'sufiic'iently heated to vaporize the fuel which may go through into chamber 155] In the event that valve 17 is closed, it may now be manually opened by retracting stem 16 whereby the vaporized fuel may then proceed to the main burner, which is now lighted-and the heat thereof continues to serve as the generating flame, in place of the auxiliary flame which may now be manually or automatically shut off. Where the valve 17 is open at the beginning of the operation,"th'e vaporized fuel, of course, proceeds therethrough to the burner, and'i'n such case, said valve may be used manually' 'for adjusting purposes to afford a larger or smaller flame at the burner 5. The reverse action namely, contraction of the generator and closing of valve 22, takes place in .case the auxiliary or main generating flame is inadvertently extinguished for any reason. Under suchcon- 'ditions of the burner,.thegenerator tube 10 contracts as it cools and shortens, thus causng valve 22, actuated by the non-expanding rod 2 3, to close, thereby shutting off the liquid fuel supply from pipe 9. I

From the foregoing it'is evident that-the manually operated valve 17 controls the quantity of vapor vproceeding from thegenerator to the burner. Whenit is desired"to' turn off the burner after use, tlievalve 17 may be' manually closed, shutting off the vapor and the flame, after which the valve 22 closes thermostatically as the generator '10 cools and contracts. v .7

Referring to the modified form depicted in-Figs. 2 and 3, it is notable that the valve stem 16 is provided with exterior threads at 30, thereby having screw threaded engagement with a similarly threaded portion of bore 8. One or more channels 31, similar to channel 20 of the preferred form, is also provided for establishing communication between-conduit 7 and chamber 15. The forward end of stem 16 is suitably supported in the elongated sleeve 32 of bushing 11 in which it loosely fits, thereby permitting passa e of vapor therearound. Inrthis form the stem may comprise a metal rod having a different coefiicient of expansion than tube 10, if desired By manually operating handle 18, it is apparent that the valve 17 in this embodimentmay serve the same purpose and functionsas it does in the preferred form.

A slightly different operation, however, is attained bythis modified construction. W hen the apparatus is set up for use, the valves 17 "and 22 are closed due to the fact that all the, parts are cool and therefore the generator tube 10 is in its contracted state. Upon lighting the priming means, the generator tube 10 is heated up by means of the auxiliary flame, whereupon the generator tube 10 expands as it becomes heated, whereas the nonexpanding metal rod 28 does not expand. As the tube 10 lengthens in response to heat, the rod: 23 movesstherewith and the valve "22 is moved away from seat 21", permitting the liquid fuel under pressure to flow from the supply 9 into the generator chamber 15. Since the tube' and IOCl'ELI'G fixed together, movement of one is experienced in like manner by the other. As the generator tube 10 lengthens inresponse to heat, the bushing 11 and valve seat 13 are moved away from valve 17,

'r' thereby opening conduit 14 to the burner.

' It is readily apparent that the foregoing operations do not transpire until the generator is sufficiently heated to vaporize the fuel which may go through into chamber 15. The vaporized fuel may then proceed to the mainburner, which is now lighted and the heat thereof continues to serve as the generating flame, in place of the auxiliary flame which ,maynow be manually or automatically shut E. The reverse action takes place in case the auxiliary or main generating flame is inadvertently extinguished for any reason. Under such conditions of the burner, the generator tube contracts as it cools and shortens, thuscausing seat 13 to approach and close valve 17, and concurrently valve 22, actuated by the non-expanding rod =23,-closes, thereby shutting off both the vapor fuel and liquid fuel supplies. i

It is apparent that the passageway 31 erator,or after the generator is heated there by controlling the outlet of the vapor to the burner. If desired, .the'modified form inFsi'g. 3 may be employed with allscrew threaded connections of stem 16 omitted With the present arrangements itiisobvious that a -novel vapor generator-in the form of aheat expansible memberrisp'ror-c vided in combination withayapor burner. The number of parts have not only been reduced but greatly. simplified; Inplacingrod 23 alongside the generator, the formerispre ventedfrom interfering with the burner flame or .utensil 'thereabove. 1 Furthermore the combination of the heat expansible ;tube' 10 and the needle valve causes the heat to open said valve slightly, thusxinsuring :an exact perature. is a Us ft is further notable that the parts as set forth in the modified form are so correlated and coordinated as to establish a ratiothere= betweenin their functioning.--.For example, the degree of opening ofinlet valve 22 and the degree of 'openi-ngzof outlet va1vec17 is proportional to the degree of "heat of-the burner 5 as well as'the degree or extent of the-vaporization of'the fueltaking place in tube 10. The degree of vap'orizationis obviously. dependent on the heatsuppli-edby b'urner15, and the degree'of heat supplied is obviously dependent on the vaporization in ratio of the vapor'emitte'd to the tubetem the tube 10, and the degree of heat supplied 7 also determines the extent that inletvalve 5 22 is opened, thereby determining-the amount of liquid fuel supplied to tube 10. It is thus seen thata :cycle of dependent functions is established which promotesaccurateand-prm portional control throughout; which in the normal functioning of the apparatus is entirely automatic. The adjustable feature ofthe rod 23 is provided to compensate for wear on the valve, seats, orto, vary the relation of the valves, ifdesired. I

- Tl1e attendant advantages ofthe. present the stove cannotbe flooded with liquid hydrocarbon and present difficulties and danger when the operator wishes to start it again. In the event that the stove runs out of fuel while in use and the operator forgets to shut off the various valves when startlng it after replenishing the fuel supply, the automatically generated thermostatically o erated valve will not allow any fuel to pass t rough the generator until the stove has been regenerated to the proper temperature.

Other advantages and modifications of the present improvements will be apparent to those skilled in the art and may be adopted Without departing from the {scope and purview of the invention.

I claim: a

I 1. In a device of the character described,

the combination with a vapor burner, of a vapor generator comprising a thermally responsive tube communicating therewith and positioned for being heated thereby, a valve controlled fuel supply inlet for said generator,.and a non-expansibl-e rod outside of and operatively connected with said generator co.- operating therewith for controlling said valve and 'means controlling communication between said generator' and burner in response to thermal conditions of said burner.

2. In a device of the character described, the combination with a vapor burner, of a vapor generator comprising a thermally responsive element, said generator having a liquid fuel supply inlet and a vapor outlet communicably connected with said burner, a valve for said fuel inlet and a valve for said vapor outlet, means operatively connected with said generator for controlling said valves, said generator positioned for being heated by said burner whereby the opening-and closing of said valves is proportional to the thermal conditions of said burner.

3. In a device of the character described, the combination with a vapor burner, of a vapor generator comprising a thermally responsive element, said generator having a liquid fuel supply inlet and a vapor outlet communicably connected with said burner, a valve for said fuel inlet and a valve for said vapor outlet, means operatively connected with said generator for controlling said valves, said generator positioned for being heated by said burner'whereby the opening and closing of said valves is proportional to Y the degree of vaporization of the fuel in said generator. r

4. In a device of the character described, the combination with a vapor burner, of a vapor generator comprising a thermally responsive element, said generator having a liquid fuel supply inlet and a vapor outlet communicablv connected with said burner, a valve for said fuel inlet and a manually operable needle valve for said vapor. outlet, means operatively connected with said generator for controlling said valves, said generator positioned for being heated by said burner whereby the opening and closing of said valves is proportional to the thermal .condition of said burner.

5. In a device of the character described, the combination with a vapor burner, of a vapor generator comprising a thermally responsive tubular member communicating therewith and positioned for being heated thereby, a valve controlled fuel supply inlet for said generator, and a substantially nonexpansible rod outside of and operatively connected with said generator cooperating therewith for controlling said valve by the relative expansion between said generator and rod.

6. In a device of the character described, the combination with a vapor burner, ofa vapor gen-erator comprising a thermally responsive tube communicating therewith and positioned for being heated thereby, a valve controlled fuel supply inlet for said generator and means outside of and operatively connected' with said generator for controlling said valve by the relative expansion between said generator and said means. a

7. The combination with a vapor burner, of a vapor generator comprising a thermostatic tube communicating therewith and positioned for being heated thereby, a fuel inlet member for said generator, a rigid member outside of said generatorand including a valve for controlling said inlet, said rigid member extending along and substantially parallel with said generator and being operatively connected thereto for controlling said inletby the relative expansion between said generator and rigid member. I

8. The combination with a vapor burner, of a vapor generator comprising a thermally responsive tube communicating therewith, said tube having a fuel inlet at one end thereof and a fuel outlet at the other end thereof, a valve controlling said inlet, a rod outside of said generator, connected to and extending from said valve along said generator and being rigidly'connected to said generator adj acent the outlet end thereof, said rod and generator being disposed above said burner whereby said valve is controlled by the relative expansion between said generator and rod.

9. In a device of the character described, the combination with a vapor burner, of a vapor generator comprising a tube communicating with said burner and havinga fuel supply inlet, said tube being heated by said burner, a valve for controlling-said inlet, and a substantially non-expansible member outside of said generator for connecting said valve and generator to actuate said valve upon movement of said generator.

10. In a device of the character described, the combination with a vapor burner, of a vapor generator comprising a tube communieating with said burner and having a fuel supply inlet, said tube being heated by said burner, and a substantially non-expansible member positioned outside of said generator and a valve movable by said non-expansible member for controlling said inlet upon movement of said generator.

11. In a device of the character described, the combination With a vapor burner, of a vapor generator comprising a heat expansible tube communicating with said burner and having a fuel supply inlet, valve actuating means outside of said generator for control: ling said inlet and connected Withsaid generator for relative movement therewith upon operation of the burner.

12. In a liquid fuel stove, a generator comprising a metallic tube, means at one end of said tube forming a passage for conducting liquid fuel into said tube, a valve for controlling the floW of liquid through said passage, and operating means for said valve including a rod having a smaller coefficient of expansion than said tube and extending from said valve along said tube substantially to the other end thereof, means rigidly connecting said rod to said other end of the tube Whereby expansion of said tube serves to move said rod to operate said valve.

13. In a liquid fuel stove, the combination of a metallic generator tube, means at one end of said tube forming'a passage for conducting liquid fuel to said generator, valve means for closing said passage, and valve operating means including a rod formed from metal having a smaller coefficient of expansion than said tube, said rod being positioned along said tube substantially parallel thereto and being adjustably connected to said tube at the other end thereof.

Witness our hands this 17th day of October, 1928, county of Milwaukee, State of Wis- ALBERT J. LINDEMANN. WALTER C. LINDEMANN. ADOLPH T. SCHMIDT. 

